The Application of Sulfur Influences Microbiome of Soybean Rhizosphere and Nutrient-Mobilizing Bacteria in Andosol

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of sulfur (S) application on a root-associated microbial community resulting in a rhizosphere microbiome with better nutrient mobilizing capacity. Soybean plants were cultivated with or without S application, the organic acids secreted from the roots were compared. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was used to analyze the effect of S on microbial community structure of the soybean rhizosphere. Several plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from the rhizosphere were identified that can be harnessed for crop productivity. The amount of malic acid secreted from the soybean roots was significantly induced by S application. According to the microbiota analysis, the relative abundance of Polaromonas, identified to have positive association with malic acid, and arylsulfatase-producing Pseudomonas, were increased in S-applied soil. Burkholderia sp. JSA5, obtained from S-applied soil, showed multiple nutrient-mobilizing traits among the isolates. In this study, S application affected the soybean rhizosphere bacterial community structure, suggesting the contribution of changing plant conditions such as in the increase in organic acid secretion. Not only the shift of the microbiota but also isolated strains from S-fertilized soil showed PGPB activity, as well as isolated bacteria that have the potential to be harnessed for crop productivity.

Comparative Analysis of Japanese Soils: Exploring Power Generation Capability in Relation to Bacterial Communities

“…Previous studies have shown that plants affect soil properties and microbial communities [45][46][47]. Plant roots secrete various organic compounds, such as proteins, sugars, flavonoids, amino acids, and organic acids by photosynthesis.…”

Ranking environmental and edaphic attributes driving soil microbial community structure and activity with special attention to spatial and temporal scales

“…Some examples where micronutrient levels may or can cause enrichment or depletion of specific microbial groups include microbes involved in S transformations, nitrifying organisms, and N 2 ‐fixers 139 , 140 , 141 . S is an essential component of a number of biomolecules including proteins, vitamins, hormones, and lipids for the generation and conservation of biochemical energy 142 .…”

“…Different bacterial and fungal species/groups are involved in specific S transformations; hence, availability of various S compounds may vary in their effects on the abundance of specific functional groups. Addition of elemental S can influence the relative proportions of bacterial phyla and bacteria involved in S oxidation and other nutrient‐mobilizing traits in rice, wheat, and soybean fields 141 , 143 , 144 , 145 . In rice fields, added elemental S resulted in an increased ratio of Acidobacteriota and Bacteroidota to Planctomycetota and Chloroflexota 145 .…”